Councilman suspended from VHS teaching post

Feb. 21, 2013

John Procopio

Written by

dmarko@thedailyjournal

VINELAND — City Councilman John Procopio has been suspended from his teaching job at Vineland High School 9-10 while district officials review allegations of a confrontation between him and a student.

When contacted Wednesday, Procopio said he was notified of his suspension earlier in the day.

The alleged incident unfolded Tuesday during a power outage at VHS 9-10 when, Procopio said, he repeatedly asked a student to refrain from using his cellphone in class for security reasons. He noted school policy prohibits cellphone use during class.

If the student needed to call home, Procopio said, he was told the classroom phone was available or he had the option of using a phone in the school office.

But the matter resulted in a confrontation, which Procopio said did not get physical.

Procopio, who was elected in December to a four-year term on the City Council, added he couldnít comment further because the matter is under review.

Due to the emergency situation at the school Tuesday, students were held in their homerooms until an early dismissal was arranged. Procopioís homeroom class is his first period financial literacy course.

Joseph Rossi, the districtís personnel director, confirmed the teacher was suspended with pay pending the results of an internal building investigation.

Procopio and Rossi said they will be meeting with Principal Mario Olsen and a Vineland Education Association representative later this week to discuss the matter.

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